Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
Lewis Hamilton continues to pay tribute to Niki Lauda, as Ferrari is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Austrian's first Formula 1 title.
This weekend, Ferrari is honoring three-time world champion Niki Lauda with a special livery. Hamilton also unveiled a special helmet design, featuring the Austrian's name.
Now, the Briton shared a new post on social media, recreating a photo once taken of the former Ferrari driver at the Italian track.
In his caption, he wrote: "Dedicato a Niki" ("Dedicated to Niki").
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Hamilton still imagines what Lauda would say
Hamilton knew Lauda well, as the Austrian was Mercedes' non-executive chairman and co-owner until his passing ahead of the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.
"Niki and I had an amazing relationship. When I joined Ferrari, I hadn’t even thought of Niki having driven at Ferrari. It was literally just because, as a kid, I watched Michael (Schumacher) and was a big fan of the team.
"I always looked at the reaction from the crowd every time Ferrari was on the podium – the passion was like no other team. I wanted to feel what that was like.
"Now having joined the team and learning more about the history, it’s amazing this weekend, because I got to celebrate Niki at Mercedes, I got to celebrate winning championships with him, and now to be able to come to Ferrari and celebrate him here too."
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Hamilton has fond memories of Lauda, and revealed a special saying he used to tell him.
"His legacy continues to live on. I know what he would be saying to me nowadays, and he’s always in the back of my mind, that thought.
"When I didn’t do well, he would do this and he’d tell me to “give them hell” – but he would always say the word ‘a***holes’!
"I never understood it at first. I’d say “what do you mean? Do you mean give them hell?” and he would say no “give them a***holes!”. But he was just such a fighter," the Briton concluded.
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